COURTSHIP. 117 



a part of the methods of conquest practised 

 by the ruff. He is also an adept in the art of 

 " showing off." This, probably, is his plan of 

 making himself agreeable to the ladies of his 

 harem, or perhaps is intended to impress 

 them with his beauty, and follows upon his 

 conquest. That both "battle" and display or 

 "showing off" are practised there can be no 

 doubt, but there seems to be no record to show 

 whether the fighting precedes or follows the 

 *' showing off." 



Wolley, a well-known "light," in the ornitho- 

 logical word, now unhappily deceased, writes of 

 the habits, or as Prof. Newton happily puts it 

 the "moral characteristics " of the ruff : — 



" The ruff, like other fine gentlemen, takes 

 much more trouble with his courtship than with 

 his duties as a husband. Whilst the reeves are 

 sitting on their eggs, scattered about the swamps, 

 he is to be seen far away flitting about in flocks, 

 and on the ground dancing and sparring with 

 his companions. Before the}'' are confined to 

 their nests, it is wonderful with what devotion 

 the females are attended by their gay followers, 

 who seem to be each trying to be more attentive 

 than the rest. Nothing can be more expressive 

 of humility and ardent love than some of the 

 actions of the ruff. He throws himself prostrate 

 on the ground, with every feather in his body 

 standing up and quivering; bub he seems as if 

 he were afraid of coming too near his mistress. 

 If she flies off, he starts up in an instant to arrive 

 before her at the next place of alighting, and all 

 his actions are full of life and spirit. But none 



